CPP bottles burst into perishable food market

A number of small and large food and beverage companies around the world are trialling clarified polypropylene (CPP) bottles to replace polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and other traditional packaging materials. The unnamed companies, the majority of which are beverage suppliers, are testing whether the material fits with their specific applications. Further commercial applications in Europe, the US and Latin America will be announced before the end of 2005.

The new application areas are products that have a relatively short shelf life and do not require a high oxygen barrier. This includes beverages such as chilled fruit juices and dairy products, and shelf stable juices and sports drinks. The oxygen barrier of PET is 30 times higher than polypropylene (PP).

The sudden push in using CPP for food and beverage packaging is the result of Milliken & Company and equipment supplier Sidel working together to demonstrate PP can be stretch blow moulded at processing rates equivalent to PET. Milliken produces the Millad 3988 clarifying agent for polypropylene, which gives the traditionally hazy material a glassy finish similar to clear polymers.Milliken director of business development for Millad Mike Purcell explains that while CPP is only suitable for some specific applications, there are some distinct advantages to using it.

CPP is approximately 10% cheaper than PET, although this is dependent on region and supply and demand, has excellent mould duplication properties and can be hot filled at temperatures up to 98°C.

PP also offers the potential to use a lower weight of material relative than PET in many applications, particularly hot fill. Purcell says: 'While polypropylene can be viewed as a compelling alternative to PET, it should also be viewed as a compelling alternative to other packaging platforms, such as high density polyethylene and paper-based packaging, since it offers the aesthetics of a premium package at attractive economics.